Newest class of Governor’s School for Arts graduates July 13

LEXINGTON, Ky.— The Governor's School for the Arts 2013 summer session comes to a close Saturday, July 13 at Transylvania University, highlighted by final student performances around campus, special speakers and a graduation ceremony at 5:15 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center.

Final performances, including those in instrumental and vocal music, musical theater, visual arts, drama, new media and architecture, will begin at various campus locations at noon. All final day events are open to GSA parents, friends and relatives as well as the public and media. Previous final day performances have attracted more than 1,200 people to campus. Refreshments will be available at various locations near Old Morrison, Transylvania's administration building on Third Street.

Author and Kentucky GSA alumnus Jonathan M. Katz will receive the Marlene M. Helm Alumni Achievement Award, an award that is given out on Final Day graduation each summer in honor of Marlene Helm who served as Secretary of the Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet under the Patton Administration. Katz, who grew up in Louisville, is a journalist and author who wrote the critically acclaimed new release "The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster." Katz attended GSA for Creative Writing in 1996 and will be one of several speakers during the graduation ceremony.

Final performances will be held at the Mitchell Fine Arts Center, the Little Theater, the Shearer Art Building, the Haupt Humanities Building, Old Morrison and the Cowgill Center.

A total of 223 high school students from 48 Kentucky counties have been on campus since June 23, immersed in a rigorous schedule of daily seminars, master classes, lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips to local arts attractions. Over 1,800 students attended auditions for the 223 positions, which are valued at $3,800 per student.

GSA is free to all students selected for the program. GSA pays the entire cost per student through the General Assembly under the leadership of the governor, along with donations from individuals, corporations and private foundations. Nearly 100 percent of GSA participants go on to college, and 93 percent earn scholarships at an average value of $59,000. GSA alumni also score, on average, 6 points higher on the ACT than the national average.

Graduates of the summer program are eligible for a host of scholarships and educational opportunities in all fields of study. Transylvania is one of many colleges and universities from across the country that auditions and interviews graduates in the fall during GSA's College and Career Day.

Funding for GSA is provided by the state through the leadership of the Governor's Office and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, as well as The Kentucky Center Endowment Fund, Toyota Motor Manufacturing and more than 300 corporations, parents, educators, alumni and friends of GSA.

For more information about GSA, click here or contact Carrie Nath at (502) 562-0718.

For more information about Transylvania University, click here or contact the public relations office at (859) 233-8120.

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